Appletalk doesn't work

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Level 1

20 points

Appletalk doesn't work

I have an HP printer hooked up to my iMac G3 running Mac OS 9.2.2 and I want to share it via Appletalk so I can print from my other computer running Mac OS X 10.5.3 Leopard and I have the printer driver installed and I can print perfectly on the iMac and I have AppleTalk activate and USB printer sharing enabled in OS 9 but I go to add the printer in Leopard it doesn't show up in the Appletalk panel. On my iMac it also doesn't show any Appletalk zones. Both computers connect to the internet through airport on my netgear router. Could it be my router doesn't understand Appletalk?

1.66 Ghz Intel Core Duo Mac Mini & iMac G3, Mac OS X (10.5.3)

Posted on Jun 22, 2008 11:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 23, 2008 4:48 AM in response to Jrtechn

I'm not sure Mac OS 9 USB printer sharing will work with Mac OS X. Also, if it's connected to the iMac G3 via USB, how is AppleTalk part of the process? An AppleTalk printer connects to the network using LocalTalk cables, and is not directly connected to any single computer.

However, if it does work and I'm not getting it, you have to make AppleTalk active on the Leopard side. In System Preferences Network pane, select whichever network service (AirPort, Built-in Ethernet, etc) you are using to connect to your network in the sidebar. Click the Advanced button. Go to the AppleTalk tab. Check the box for +Make AppleTalk Active+.

But again, I don't get how AppleTalk is involved for an USB printer.

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Answer 2

Jrtechn Author

Level 1

20 points

Jun 23, 2008 8:16 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Oh ok. I'm still new to this Appletalk. I just thought it would be a simpler alternative to TCP/IP.

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Answer 3

Jun 23, 2008 8:30 AM in response to Jrtechn

If the printer is USB-only and you want to share it over the network, you have to use USB Printer Sharing through a Mac that has an Ethernet port (or wireless), and the printer must be supported for USB Printer Sharing. AppleTalk is not involved.

If the printer is an old AppleTalk printer, then it does not connect to any Mac over USB. You would connect it to LocalTalk cables and use a bridge device to connect the LocalTalk network to the Ethernet network.

AppleTalk is an old technology. Using it with modern technology actually makes things more complicated.

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Answer 4

Jun 23, 2008 7:29 PM in response to Jrtechn

107060- Mac OS X: Sharing a printer with Mac OS 9 computers

86036- USB Printer Sharing: Using an Internet Location File

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